Latest news with #Bishan
Malay Mail
18 hours ago
- General
- Malay Mail
Singapore town council: Underground leak may have cut off water supply during Toa Payoh blaze
SINGAPORE, July 31 — An underground pipe leak may have caused the dry rising main at Block 229 Toa Payoh Lorong 8 to malfunction during a fire on July 29, the Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council said. The Straits Times reported that firefighters had encountered issues with the dry riser, which did not work properly during the fire that broke out around 1pm and engulfed a 10th floor flat, spreading to the unit above. In a statement today, the town council said it conducted a joint inspection of the dry riser with the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). 'In our discussion with SCDF, the probable reason for the failure of the dry riser could be due to an underground pipe leak,' it said. The specific dry riser was last tested on August 28, 2024, by an authorised fire prevention and protection system contractor and found to be in working condition, the council said. The next inspection is scheduled for August 5. The town council said SCDF requires an annual hydrostatic test for the dry riser, which includes checks to detect such leaks. Seven people, including a firefighter and a child, were taken to hospital following the incident. On July 30, SCDF said firefighters could not charge water to the affected floors due to the malfunctioning dry riser and had to set up hoses from the fire engine up the staircase to the 10th and 11th floors. ST also reported that in August 2020, a similar issue occurred at Block 138C Lorong 1A Toa Payoh, where a wet riser system was not functioning during a fire on the 20th floor. In response, the town council said the two incidents involved different fire suppression systems and were unrelated.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Underground pipe leak likely reason for water supply issues during Toa Payoh fire: Town council
SINGAPORE - An underground pipe leak could be the reason the dry rising main was not working during the large blaze at Block 229 Toa Payoh Lorong 8 on July 29. In a statement on July 31, the Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council said it conducted a joint inspection with SCDF of the dry riser, after SCDF found that it was not working properly. The town council said: 'In our discussion with SCDF, the probable reason for the failure of the dry riser could be due to an underground pipe leak.' The town council said the specific dry riser at Block 229, where the fire broke out, was last tested by an authorised fire prevention and protection system contractor on Aug 28, 2024, and was found to be in working condition. The next inspection for the dry riser is scheduled on Aug 5. The town council said SCDF requires a hydrostatic test to the dry riser to be conducted annually, which includes checks to detect such leaks. On July 29 at around 1pm, a fire broke out in a unit on the 10th floor of the block, engulfing the flat and spreading to a unit on the 11th floor. Seven people, including a firefighter and a child, were taken to hospital. A day after the fire on July 30, SCDF said because the dry rising main was not working, water could not be charged up to the affected floors. Firefighters had to set up hoses directly from the fire engine below up to the 10th and 11th floors via the staircase. ST reported on July 30 a similar incident had happened in August 2020, when the wet riser was not working when firefighters tried to use it to fight the flames on the 20th floor at Block 138C Lorong 1A Toa Payoh. In response, the town council on July 31 said the fire suppression systems involved in both fire incidents are unrelated. The 2020 incident involved a wet riser system, while the incident in Lorong 8 involved a dry riser system, said the town council. It added: 'Subsequently, the SCDF conducted comprehensive inspections and concluded that all fire safety systems are in good working order. The wet riser system at Block 138C Lorong 1A Toa Payoh has been properly maintained and remains in full working condition.' Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
CNA
21 hours ago
- General
- CNA
Toa Payoh fire: Faulty riser could be due to underground pipe leak, says town council
SINGAPORE: The faulty riser at a Toa Payoh block could be due to an underground pipe leak, Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council said on Thursday (Jul 31), adding that the system was found to be working during an inspection in August last year. A fire broke out at Block 229 Lorong 8 Toa Payoh on Tuesday afternoon. It started in a flat on the 10th floor and spread to another unit on the 11th floor. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said on Wednesday that during the firefighting operation, firefighters discovered that the block's dry rising main was not in "proper working condition", and water could not be "charged up" to the affected floors. A dry rising main is a vertical red pipe installed in a building. During a fire, it will be charged with water from a fire engine to facilitate firefighting operations on higher floors. Firefighters instead set up hoses directly from the fire engine at the ground level to establish a water supply to the 10th and 11th floors via the staircase. Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council said it was informed of the matter by SCDF after the fire was extinguished. Both SCDF and the town council then conducted a joint inspection of the dry riser. "SCDF requires (a) hydrostatic test to the dry riser to be conducted annually," added the town council. "The specific dry riser at Block 229 was last tested by an authorised fire prevention and protection system contractor on Aug 28, 2024 and was found to be in working condition. The next inspection for the dry riser is scheduled on Aug 5, 2025. "In our discussion with SCDF, the probable reason for the failure of the dry riser could be due to an underground pipe leak. The annual hydrostatic test includes checks to detect such leaks." FIRE IN 2020 "UNRELATED" The town council also said the fire suppression systems involved in Tuesday's fire and a separate blaze at Block 138C Lorong 1A Toa Payoh in August 2020 were unrelated. The incident in 2020 involved a wet riser system, while the current incident involves a dry riser system. Following the incident in 2020, the town council engaged a professional engineer to conduct a thorough independent investigation. The professional engineer determined that the wet riser showed no signs of failure or deterioration, and the probable cause was due to the unintentional closure of the riser isolation switch by the contractor during their routine inspection. Subsequently, the SCDF conducted 'comprehensive inspections' and concluded that all fire safety systems were in good working order. 'The wet riser system at Block 138C Lorong 1A Toa Payoh has been properly maintained and remains in full working condition.'
CNA
a day ago
- General
- CNA
Toa Payoh blaze: Faulty riser forced firefighters to haul hoses up 10 storeys; SCDF investigating
SINGAPORE: A faulty dry rising main forced firefighters battling a blaze on the 10th and 11th storeys of a Toa Payoh block to manually run hoses up the staircase to establish a water supply. The incident occurred on Tuesday (Jul 29) at about 1.10pm at Block 229 Lorong 8 Toa Payoh. In a statement on Wednesday, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said that during the onset of the firefighting operation, firefighters discovered that the block's dry rising main was not in "proper working condition", and water could not be "charged up" to the affected floors. A dry rising main is a vertical red pipe installed in a building. During a fire, it will be charged with water from a fire engine to facilitate firefighting operations on higher floors. Firefighters instead set up hoses directly from the fire engine at the ground level to establish a water supply to the 10th and 11th floors via the staircase. "This is more onerous, but it is a contingency that SCDF firefighters regularly train for during their routine drills," said an SCDF spokesperson. The blaze was eventually put out at about 3.30pm. Seven people were taken to hospital, including a child and a firefighter. The spokesperson said that the SCDF is working closely with the Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council to investigate the fire and rectify the dry rising main fault. "SCDF takes a serious view of fire safety and will take firm action against any non-compliance with fire safety requirements, including non-maintenance of fire safety provisions such as the dry rising main," said the spokesperson. On Wednesday, Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC Saktiandi Supaat said that temporary shelter has been arranged for "all directly and severely affected units". "We are closely monitoring the situation and working with local partners to provide additional support where needed. Further help - including financial or job assistance - may be offered based on eligibility," Mr Saktiandi said in a Facebook post. Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council said on Wednesday that power supply resumed for most units by 7.30am and lift services were restored at 10.45pm on Tuesday. "We are still carefully working on Levels 10 and 11 to ensure safe reconnection," the town council said in a Facebook post.
CNA
20-07-2025
- Health
- CNA
Over 2,500 vaping reports in first half of 2025; HSA to launch online reporting form
SINGAPORE: More than 2,500 reports of vaping have been made in the first half of 2025, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said on Sunday (Jul 20). Compared with over 3,000 reports for the whole of 2024, HSA said it has seen a "significant increase" in public feedback on vaping-related offences. In one such case, HSA on Jul 11 caught a 21-year-old man who was allegedly distributing vapes and components in Bishan and Ubi. Officers conducted raids and seized almost three tonnes of vapes. He was charged in court on Jul 14, with the case adjourned to Aug 11. In May, HSA raided the homes of two 16-year-old boys who were allegedly vaping in a private-hire car. The driver had reported the incident to the traffic police, who seized two vapes from one of the boys. Another 54 pods and three vapes were found in his residence. Some of the pods were tested by HSA and found to contain etomidate. Etomidate is a fast-acting anaesthetic used in medical procedures. Adverse effects of etomidate include nausea and vomiting, uncontrollable movement or spasm of muscles, changes to breathing and blood pressure, and seizures and psychosis that can endanger health. No vapes or components were found at the other boy's home, and both are assisting HSA in investigations. In the same month, a video was posted online showing a 58-year-old man sitting on a road and holding a vape. He was unable to walk on his own and was shaking uncontrollably, with passers-by helping to get him off the road. HSA officers raided his residence but did not find any vapes, although the man admitted to vaping. He was issued a fine. In another case, a man was filmed vaping in a lift at Sim Lim Square and the video was posted on social media. HSA identified the 24-year-old, raided his residence and seized two vapes. He is assisting with investigations. HSA said there has been a "considerable increase" in the number of social media postings showing others vaping in public. "Through these public feedback and social media postings, HSA was able to use them as an additional source of surveillance data to intensify our enforcement activities," it added. ONLINE REPORTING HSA will launch a new online reporting form on Monday for people to report illegal vaping activities. They can also call the Tobacco Regulation Branch at 6684 2036 or 6684 2037. The operational hours will be extended to seven days a week, including public holidays, from 9am to 9pm. HSA said those with information on vaping activities can provide details of the suspected users, sellers or distributors, as well as photographs or videos showing the offender's face, if available. They should also include the location, date and time of the incident, as well as any other relevant information. "HSA looks into all vaping-related reports. Seized e-vaporisers and related components suspected to contain illegal substances, including etomidate and controlled drugs will be tested. "Offenders found to be dealing with or in possession of e-vaporisers with etomidate will face higher penalties under the Poisons Act. Those found with controlled drugs will be referred to the Central Narcotics Bureau." The purchase, possession and use of vapes are prohibited in Singapore. This includes purchases made online and from overseas. Offenders can be fined up to S$2,000 (S$1,560). Anyone convicted of importing, distributing, selling or offering for sale vapes or components can be fined up to S$10,000, jailed for up to six months or both. For subsequent offences, the maximum penalties are doubled.
